First Day with the Kids!
Oh my! This was the primary purpose of the trip–to work with the youth at the Joram Academy.
When we arrived, we met with Mr. Jenga, a very distinguished gentleman who was headmaster of the academy. He was very gracious and listened intently as we gave him an in person preview of our curriculum.
He had planned to give us specially prepared meals every day, but Robyn insisted we eat with the children and be treated no differently. Later, as we toured the campus, and Robyn and the girls were being shown the girls dormitory, I stepped into the dining hall and got a chance to sample the food.
One of the senior boys beckoned me to approach his table, and I did. He wanted me to have a bite of his food, and I ate from his bowl as the other boys watched. They waited for a reaction from me as I tried to place in my mind where I had tasted something similar before. “It tastes like… like… like… beans!” The boys and I laughed. Their simple meal tasted fine to me.
Outside of the headmaster’s office, two bright female students escorted us on a tour of the campus. The school grounds and campus facilities weren’t much different than I had imagined, yet perhaps a bit more simple and meager. The buildings were built with and contained nothing but the bare essentials.
The rooms were not painted, had no air conditioning, no electricity and generally were supplied with nothing more than some old desks and a blackboard. The dining hall was just a cement structure with a few tables and benches. The kitchens were very smokey as they cooked large pots of food over open fires.
We got many stares as we toured the campus, and everyone was very friendly and accomodating. I imagine I stood out the most… the only white person in the group of foreigners, and the only one on campus.
Later in the day, after the workshop, we would come to meet the young orphans who lived on campus, mostly female and ages 5 – 10. Given the looks on their faces, I wouldn’t be surprised if they hadn’t seen a real live caucasion since last year when another group of Westerners visited.
Oh, the looks on their faces! The brightest, biggest eyes! Each one of them extended their hand to me one at a time and told me their name. Once they would tell me and I repeated it, they would giggle, turn and run away. The woman who watches these kids asked us to do something special with them while we’re there, so we’ve planned 4 extra hours to work just with this small group of primary age orphan kids! I can’t wait!
OK, I’m saving the best for last! The workshop with the 15 to 17 year olds today happened after school was out. The headmaster required all the Form 3 and Form 4 students (which I learned is the equivalent of Juniors and Seniors in the US) to attend the first few minutes of our workshop to learn what it was about and see if they wanted to participate. So there were about 100 students who met us in the dining hall for the after school workshop. For some reason I wasn’t too nervous, even though the thought of leading to so many high school age students has made me nervous in the past…
OK this will have to be continued as our Cyber Cafe is closing! Talk soon! Post your comments!
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Hi Michael,
So wonderful to hear of your experiences, so far.
Keep up the good work.
At night, when out looking at the stars
I face
in your direction.
And the moon shines bright.
All our love, and more…from your friends here @ zaadz.
Ok, at LEAST me, then! lol
love and more, dear man
Dian
Mike!
i am so moved by you being there in africa to make a difference for those children. i can’t sleep tonight because i am up wondering what there is for me to be doing to be living my full potential. your courage and your love and your dedication to the world is just breathtakingly beautiful – beyond words really. know that i’m thinking of you and seeing the brillance in each of the kids faces with you! each of them could be my sweet nathan and i love you for being there and being the man you are today!
love you,
katrina
What a great work you are doing Michael,
I optimistic that by the end of your tour, you may not want to leave the place.
It is a pleasure to see you doing something wonderful for such a needy community.
Clovis(Uganda)
Michael,
I can imagine what you are going through!
Just look around; look at the pain, the hard times, the suffering, ill-health the Kenyans are going through.
It is a reflection of what Ugandans are going through.
I feel the pain of these people every day of my life. Am one of the few who gets an opportunity to talk to people like you.
Well-off people do not seem to see this. They assume everyone is okay.
I think these people deserve something better. They are willing to stand up but there is no one willing to hold them by the hand and show them the way.
Michael, all these people need is someone to help them and take the first step. I believe they can change, they can rise and live their dreams but if and only if, someone takes the opportunity to show them the light.
I want to go the extra mile. There is no traffic jam on the extra mile. I can cause a change in the lives of these people.
I have set several goals to reach in the next twelve months. But the most important goal, the number one thing, a goal that will make the other goals be realised, is what I have been sharing with you Michael: My vision and plan to set Up a soccer “joint”. Michael, I want to assure you that if this goal is realised, the rest of my life will have to obey.
My goals, dreams and visions revolve around this goal. If it is attained, the rest will follow suit.
I have made every saving I can, I have focused all my thoughts, made contacts, researched and read almost everything that entirely has to do with this business. Am convinced that; The moment this business kicks off, there is no turning back, no regret!
Michael, I understand the situation you are in right now; i have no choice but to wait on you. I will continue making new contacts, and think of new Ideas on how I can make my dream come true.
I want to wish the best in every thing you are undertaking.
Please remember to help me when the opportunity comes.
I am hopeful that you can help me realise this dream.
Visionary in the making,
Clovis
Hi: Glad to see you expanding, and thriving in the Kenya venue. Any group which brings as much happiness as you do willl find the doors open, all over the world. Good luck in finding the time to reach for all these places which need you. I always use visionforce.
I saw a website about a human being flag, which promotes the brotherhood of all mankind. The human being flag has been adopted by the world peace groups, which are currently holding a series of conventions, all across Canada, and probably, the world. I thought the flag might be of value to you, for expanding your work. You might want to check out the website: humanbeingflag.com Best wishes, Michael Buchek
Hello Michael,
Keep up the good work, our world need more people like you.
Love,
Emily
Wonderful ,,, keep up the great work.